Translator: Dreamscribe
Surprised, Miley Cara brushed back her blonde hair. In the meantime, various thoughts crossed her mind. Kang Woojin, who was the first Korean in the history of ‘World Disney Pictures’ to be offered the lead male role. ‘Beast and the Beauty’, a film with an immense global fandom.
‘And isn’t this the first time the ‘Big Five’ film companies are all chasing after a single actor?’
And at the same time. Even for Miley Cara, an ultra-level superstar in Hollywood, this was unprecedented. Including Joseph’s side, three out of the ‘Big Five’ were in the race.
‘I never even imagined something like this…’
At this moment, the male actor standing next to Cara cut into her thoughts, speaking in an even lower voice.
“Kang Woojin was recently confirmed as a lead male candidate for ‘Pierrot’, so I was curious. It’s true that he achieved something incredible at Cannes, but it’s still surprising that two of the ‘Big Five’ are showing such strong interest in him. And, more than anything, the role of the ‘Beast’ – well, you know? The original work is just so powerful.”
“……”
“For a Korean actor to be confirmed as the lead male candidate for two projects here, honestly, this is my first time seeing it. It feels like the film companies are trying to act bold and experimental. With opportunities pouring in for Kang Woojin, it feels like he’s just grabbing them all. Though it’s unlikely, if he were to succeed in both projects, he’d have to give up one.”
No, not at all.
Miley Cara’s thoughts were the complete opposite of his.
‘Give up one? No way. If what he’s saying is all true…… Kang Woojin is planning to take on both projects.’
In other words, her concerns about ‘Beast and the Beauty’ were rendered meaningless. At this point, the Hollywood male actor next to her spoke again.
“Whether it’s ‘Pierrot’ or ‘Beast and the Beauty’, if they’re using Kang Woojin for promotional purposes, it’s already successful. He’s already a hot topic among us, and the media and public opinion got so loud just from ‘Pierrot’, didn’t they? But if ‘Beast and the Beauty’ is announced too, interest will explode.”
Hearing this, Cara swept her blonde hair again and chuckled.
“You really live up to your loose-lipped reputation. Talking so much even when I didn’t ask.”
It seemed the male actor already had an image of being loose-lipped. Still, he was a top actor in Hollywood who also performed in musicals. In terms of recognition, he wasn’t far behind Chris Hartnett. That same actor frowned slightly and stammered as he spoke.
“Ah, no. I was just…”
“Anyway, what you’re saying is that you’ll be competing with Kang Woojin?”
Cara cut off his words.
“With your current attitude, you’ll get crushed, you know?”
“……What?”
“And quite ruthlessly, too. I’m giving you advice as a friend. Also, hold your tongue a bit. You’re coming off as too frivolous.”
“You!”
“Still, you’ve been very helpful.”
After finishing her words, Cara left the stunned male actor behind and started walking. Soon, she found herself imagining Kang Woojin transformed into the ‘Beast’. That monstrous acting talent, those spine-chilling musical abilities, it suddenly amplified her sense of anticipation.
At the same time, she thought.
‘How disappointing.’
It meant that Kang Woojin was being too much. Woojin was already someone who didn’t care about others’ opinions. On top of that, he was extremely reticent. Even if information about ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was highly classified.
‘Couldn’t he have given me a tiny hint??’
Muttering complaints like this to herself, her team members, who had been dispersed, gathered around her. Among them, Miley Cara murmured to the main manager, Jonathan.
“Tell the Disney side that I’ll do it.”
December 17th, afternoon, in Korea.
While the internet was bustling with news about Kang Woojin.
『[Star Talk] ‘Hollywood Bound’ Kang Woojin, Expected to Depart for Hollywood Early Next Year』
『Kang Woojin Takes on Hollywood Challenge to Fulfill ‘Cannes Acceptance Speech’! Foreign Media Also Paying Attention』
From the morning, new issues kept catching people’s eyes.
『[Film Festival] Blue Dragon Film Awards Opening at 6 PM Today! Kang Woojin’s Attendance Confirmed for ‘Island of the Missing’, ‘Leech’』
It was the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The reason was simple. In about an hour, this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards were set to begin.
This year, the film industry was already rocked by numerous nuclear-level bombshells. On top of that, several records were broken. As a result, the level of interest from the media, the entire Korean entertainment industry, and the general public was higher than in any other year.
『This year’s Blue Dragon seems like a party for the two 20-million-viewer films…How many trophies will Kang Woojin take home this time, following last year?』
The venue was a large art center in Seoul.
In front of the entrance to the massive art center, where a long red carpet was already laid out.
-Pababababak!
-Pabababababababab!
An overwhelming number of reporters were frantically pressing their shutters. The red carpet walk had long since begun. Thus, while countless reporters were busy snapping photos, the screams of hundreds of onlookers surrounding them filled the area around the red carpet.
“Kyaaaaaah!!”
“Woaaaah!! Amazing!!”
“He looks insane in person! Oppa!! Hello!”
“Please wave to us!!”
As stars arrived one after another in vans, SUVs, or other cars, and stepped onto the red carpet, they showed off their style in suits, tuxedos, or glamorous dresses. Every time they appeared, dazzling flashes burst endlessly.
However.
“Ugh, why isn’t he coming yet??”
“Exactly. Is he even coming for sure? What if he suddenly says he’s going to LA and doesn’t show up?”
“Shit. That’d ruin everything.”
Even as the hundreds of reporters clicked their shutters, it was evident they were eagerly waiting for someone.
Who else could it be?
“Kang Woojin is the centerpiece of this year’s film festivals. If I don’t get even one picture of him, I’m doomed.”
It was Kang Woojin.
There was no question about it.
Last year, in his first year after debuting, he swept both the Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards. This year, it was clear he was going to set even greater records. Even if he completely dominated the Korean entertainment industry, there wasn’t a single person who could refute him.
“How do you think the Blue Dragon will rank ‘Island of the Missing’ and ‘Leech’?”
“More than that, the fact that both legendary films that surpassed 20 million viewers starred Kang Woojin…… This record is unbreakable.”
“An actor who brought in two 20-million-viewer films in a single year. It’s absurd when you think about it.”
“And he’s only in his third year now.”
It was at this moment.
-Vroom.
A large black van arrived. Soon, a well-built bodyguard opened the car door. Immediately, an actor with black hair, dressed in a white tuxedo, stepped out.
“……”
It was Kang Woojin, his face full of indifference. As soon as he stepped out.
-Pabababababababab!!!
-Pabababababababab!!!
Flashes so bright they turned night into day, and all kinds of loud cheers and shouts, erupted. Even Woojin, deep in his concept act, was inwardly startled.
‘Ah- shit, that scared me. My ears are ringing??’
It was, at a glance, pure chaos.
About an hour later.
After the war-like red carpet event ended, Kang Woojin could be found inside the large hall of the art center where the Blue Dragon Film Awards were about to begin. Many actors, industry professionals, and directors were present, but he stood out the most.
Right in the center of the audience seats.
Many people were gathered around Woojin. Not only directors like Kwon Ki-taek or other actors he had worked with in the past or recently, but also those who approached him just to build a connection. Director Ahn Ga-bok was not in sight, as he was currently in LA.
On top of that.
“Zoom in on Kang Woojin. Close-up.”
The cameras from the broadcasting team covering the awards were all focused on Kang Woojin. Viewers watching this live scene were furiously flooding the live chat with comments. Even rookie actors filming Woojin with their phones could be spotted in abundance. Sitting between Hong Hye-yeon and Ryu Jung-min, Kang Woojin was undoubtedly being treated as a global star in the hall. Though overwhelmed by the attention, he remained composed.
‘These greetings never end, huh. Well, this much is a piece of cake. But still, it feels kind of strange. How has it already been a year??’
After experiencing the Cannes Film Festival, what significance could Korea’s Blue Dragon Film Awards hold for him? Even so, within just one year, the landscape had changed drastically. Last year, he had attended as a rookie and a supporting actor, but now he sat in the audience as an undisputed lead actor. Technically, with only three years of experience, he was still considered a rookie, but no one in this hall saw Kang Woojin as a newcomer.
After several tens of minutes passed like that.
As the dazzling lights of the main stage changed.
-♬♪
Opening music resonated throughout the grand hall.
This year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards had officially begun.
Before anyone realized, the audience seats filled with countless actors had grown quiet. As Kang Woojin gazed at the magnificently decorated stage, a female actress in a dress and a male actor in a tuxedo stepped onto the stage. Both were famous actors who had greeted Woojin earlier, and they now held handheld microphones as the evening’s hosts.
“Another year is already coming to an end.”
“Yes, there’s really a lot to miss about it.”
The pair exchanged a few fitting lines and jokes before concluding their opening remarks.
“There were so many amazing films this year, which makes this Blue Dragon so highly anticipated! Shall we begin right away?”
The first awards were announced.
The Best New Actor and Actress awards. Naturally, Kang Woojin’s name was not called. The male and female rookie actors who stepped onto the stage were faces unfamiliar to Woojin.
‘Oh- both of them look stunning.’
What was notable was that both rookie award winners mentioned Woojin during their speeches.
“It’s such an honor to receive the Best New Actor award, following in the footsteps of Kang Woojin-nim, who won it last year.”
They directly referenced Kang Woojin.
“I was just hearing earlier about how incredible Kang Woojin-nim was last year, and then suddenly my name was called, I never even imagined this! Thank you so much!!”
Before anyone knew it, Kang Woojin had become the role model and idol figure for all rookie actors in Korea. Beyond that, he was the top of the top among the elite actors gathered here. At this point, even attempting to compete with him felt like a daunting challenge.
Of course, Kang Woojin himself didn’t think much of it.
‘Ahem, this is kind of embarrassing.’
As a result, Woojin was frequently highlighted during the event, but his poker face remained unshaken. The awards for technical staff followed after this, categories such as art direction, technical achievements, and screenplay, and so on.
It was, simply put.
“Art Direction Award! Congratulations! Han Seo-kyung from ‘Leech’!”
A celebration for the two films.
“Congratulations! Technical Achievement Award! Kim Dong-jin from ‘Island of the Missing’!”
The Screenplay Award went to Director Ahn Ga-bok.
“Director Ahn Ga-bok is currently in LA, so Director Kwon Ki-taek will accept the award on his behalf.”
The atmosphere gradually heated up. After the first part’s celebration stage ended, the second segment began.
It started with Kang Woojin being called up.
“Popular Star Award!! Congratulations, Kang Woojin!!”
The entire audience stood and applauded.
-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
From his expression, it was clear that Woojin had already predicted this moment. It was no surprise. In just one year, he had risen to become not just a popular star, but a world star. Calmly stepping onto the stage, Kang Woojin received a bouquet and a trophy before standing in front of the standing microphone.
His acceptance speech was brief.
“Thank you. I’m delighted to receive such a meaningful award again this year, following last year. Next year, I’ll work to receive a popular star award overseas next year as well.”
He didn’t forget to aim for Hollywood.
Next came the Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards. Once again, the two films dominated.
“Best Supporting Actor!! Jeon Woo-chang from ‘Island of the Missing’!!”
At this point, it felt as if the Blue Dragon Film Awards were exclusively a festival for these two films.
“Best Supporting Actress! Congratulations! Han So-jin!!!”
Finally, the Blue Dragon Film Awards reached its climax. Jin Jae-jun, who had worked with Woojin on ‘Leech’, came up on stage.
“I’ve been to the grand Cannes Film Festival, and this year has been the most thrilling of my entire acting career in many ways.”
Jin Jae-jun’s appropriately timed comment signaled the beginning of the most anticipated award.
“Let’s take a look at the nominees for Best Actor at this year’s Blue Dragon.”
On the massive screen on stage, clips from various films and their actors began to play. The first to appear was,
-‘Island of the Missing’ / Kang Woojin
Kang Woojin from ‘Island of the Missing’. In total, there were five nominees. Notably, Kang Woojin from ‘Leech’ was absent, indicating that the Blue Dragon organizers had chosen to focus their attention on one of his performances.
And alongside him.
-‘Leech’ / Sim Han-ho
Among the nominees was Sim Han-ho, the veteran actor from ‘Leech’. With Sim Han-ho included, the list of nominees was filled with formidable names capable of dominating the domestic acting scene.
But even so.
“This year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Actor! Following Cannes, I have the privilege of witnessing this honor once again!”
They couldn’t surpass him.
“Congratulations! Best Actor! Kang Woojin from ‘Island of the Missing’!!”
Even though this was only Kang Woojin’s second Blue Dragon.
In just two appearances, Woojin had risen from a rookie to a supporting actor, and now to today’s lead actor award. Calmly, he stood up from his seat. Thunderous applause erupted, loud enough to burst eardrums, and congratulations poured in, but Woojin’s expression remained unchanged as he simply walked toward the stage.
“……”
Because he had put on his ‘beast-mode’ concept. As a result, his poker face was more solid than ever.
‘Holy shit! Best Actor at the Blue Dragon! This makes two Best Actor awards!’
With a cynical expression, Kang Woojin ascended the stage as if it were no big deal.
-Swish.
For the second time, following Cannes, he received the Best Actor award.
However, his collection of Best Actor awards didn’t end with the Blue Dragon.
Exactly three days after the Blue Dragon, on the 20th.
『[Film Festival] Following Blue Dragon, Kang Woojin takes Best Actor at the Grand Bell Awards for ‘Leech’! Sweeps All Best Actor Awards Including Cannes! / Photo』
This year, the Best Actor awards belonged entirely to Kang Woojin.